Gatwick might need a second runway to cope with a 30% rise in passengers by 2045.
That was one of the findings in a ‘masterplan’ released by the airport this week.
Under a long-standing local agreement, the airport is not allowed to add an additional runway before 2019.
But the masterplan shows that the airport is likely to need a second runway within the next decade.
This is because passenger numbers are forecast to rise from the current 34 million a year to 40 million by 2022 and to 45 million by 2030.
"We need to anticipate that, in the long term, a second runway at Gatwick may be needed," said chief executive Stewart Wingate.
The airport’s owners, Global Infrastructure Partners, have already spent £750 million improving its two existing terminals.
They plan to invest another £1 billion in the airport to allow for growth.
